Italian Prosecutor Makes Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir a Suspect in the Arrest of Flotilla Activists

JAKARTA - The Rome prosecutor's office has included the name of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on the list of suspects in an investigation into alleged torture and war crimes against Sumud, a pro-Palestinian flotilla activist.

La Repubblica newspaper reported that the investigation was opened weeks ago after Israeli authorities detained the activists of the fleet, including a number of Italian citizens.

According to the report, the lawyers for the plaintiffs alleged possible criminal acts, including kidnapping, torture, sexual violence, robbery, and actions that could potentially cause the ship to sink.

The FlotilaSumud carrying humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip set sail from Barcelona on April 15.

On May 18, the fleet's organizers said their ship was surrounded and forcibly intercepted by an Israeli warship in international waters, about 250 nautical miles off the Gaza coast.

All the participants of the fleet were then detained before being deported from Israel.

On May 20, Itamar Ben-Gvir uploaded a video showing Israeli forces covering and tying up detained activists.

The fleet then reported that about 30 activists had broken bones and accused Israeli forces of sexual harassment of the participants.

Meanwhile, Jean-Noel Barrot on May 23 said France had banned Ben-Gvir from entering the country's territory.